Our Story
We the leading summer camp organization in China, and the experiential learning company all are eager to experience.
Our Story
How YMCE Came About
The story of You Mei Camp Education (YMCE) starts from humble beginnings in a lowly Beijing apartment in 2010. Three friends from the U.S & China came together to discover that the traditional summer camp experience in China was yet to exist, and a catalyst organization was needed to create it; thus, YMCE was born. No longer would China have to wait for s’mores, campfires, bunk life and bug juice, a group was there to show them the way.
We are “The Camp Guys”. With our strong roots in Camp, we were quickly able to adapt new program ideas and experiences to our offerings, soon after leading school trips and expeditions across the region and globally. Whether organizing a group of Year 6 students to Zhejiang province for an outdoor exploration camp, High School students to the country side of Huangshan, Anhui to restore old villages, or a tug of war at one of our Greenwoods Camps, we truly do it all! Mainland or abroad, our vast network of friends and programming is wide and expanding.
Now coming on 14 years of development, we are proud to say we are professionals & industry leaders. We are grateful for the hard road we have taken, learning every step of the way, and growing thanks to our trusted customers & partner organizations. We are optimistic of the future of education, and wish to contribute to more students experiencing the world through us.
Our History
Tracing Our Roots
The year YMCE began
You Mei Camp Education 游美 registered in Beijing
YMCE was the first...
Joined camp associations International Camping Fellowship & the American Camp Association; first group of Chinese campers organized to Camp Echo (New York) and Camp Wekeela (Maine).
chinese camp association
Milestone met of two thousand campers placed abroad for winter and summer programs; YMCE co-establishes the Chinese Camp Association (CCEA); Recognition gained in international camping community as “The Camp Guys”that people can trust.
birth of Camp greenwoods
Friends & family fund raise to break ground for our first summer camp property (Camp Greenwoods) in Zhejiang province; voted “Most Innovative Summer Camp” of 2016 in China.
camp Greenwoods is in Shanghai!
Camp Greenwoods Shanghai opened; Pre-A venture capital funding raised; First international school grade trips launched that Fall; YMCE Co-founder voted Executive Board Member of global camping board, ICF (serving currently until 2026); Shanghai Office established.
Camp Greenwoods Beijing
Camp Greenwoods Beijing opened; voted “Best Camp Education” program in China by Sina Education Awards, first Ski Winter Camps launched; Hangzhou Office established.
Yunnan & Chengdu
A-series round raised; Camp Greenwoods Yunnan & Chengdu opened; International Schools trips reaching more destinations and more programs; Staff retention rate reaching all time high; corporate culture identity & re-visioning program begun.
Unstoppable
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic YMCE powers through to delivered summer camps for children; Camp Greenwoods Shanghai reaches 50/50 expat to local camper ratio; recognition as truly most international summer camp in China.
Young Mountaineering Program
Launch Young Mountaineering Program with student expeditions to Mt. Kilimanjaro and more; Registered Activity Provider for Duke of Edinburgh International Award; 68km Youth Gobi Desert Trek Competition launched; 100,000 students served milestone; Book launches & Sports Academy established; YMCE continues to be forward thinking and innovative.
China Schools Award: Heads' Choice!
YMCE is proud to announce that they are winners of the Heads' Choice Award, a video pitch format award voted by attending Heads of School. We are honored to be selected which serves as a testimony of our hard work over the years!
We maintain a unique profile in mainland China, being one of the few internationally owned and managed camp and experiential learning companies.
Truly our core differentiating factor among the experiential learning companies would be our heart; the beating heart of our organization being the traditional camp experience. That being said, the staff we hire and train are nearly entirely from our summer camp network. The energy you will experience on a trip with us is unmatched, the attention to detail for the needs of every participant are second to none. We are very proud of our roots, our heritage, and our ability to adapt.
We maintain a unique profile in mainland China, being one of the few internationally owned and managed camp and experiential learning companies. We are boots on ground with owners and operators remaining in Greater China, available for our partners and parents.
Naturally one very attractive feature has been our ability to build camp sites in China, now operating over eight sites in the mainland equipped with climbing walls, ropes courses, camping grounds, water activity equipment and beautiful landscapes. Dealing with government regulators, negotiating with enterprises and navigating the Chinese business environment is no easy feat!
Join us, choose us, work with us!